Restaurant Week is here: Pick one of 150 eateries participating in this charitable foodie frenzy

Nearly 150 restaurants across North Texas are participating in DFW Restaurant Week, the event billed as a "foodie fundraiser" in North Texas that encourages diners to try new restaurants for a good cause.

From Aug. 5 through Aug. 11, any restaurant on the list of participants will offer diners a three-course, fixed-menu dinner for $39 or $49 or a two-course lunch for $25. All restaurants will send 20 percent of diners' tabs to the North Texas Food Bank or Lena Pope.

The popular event makes for jam-packed restaurants, in some cases. To keep up with the rush — or to further this fundraiser during crazy-hot Texas days — some restaurants choose to extend their participation in DFW Restaurant Week beyond the first seven days. Check the website to see which ones will be offering dining deals as late as Sept. 2.

One new addition this year: Anyone who spends $10 at FedEx Office starting July 9 can get a "fourth course certificate," which gets diners an additional plate of food during their dinners. Just ask for the DFW Restaurant Week fourth course certificate next time you're at a FedEx Office store; find one here.

What to do next:

Make your moves: July 9 is Reservation Day, and participants are encouraged to make reservations at the most sought-after restaurants quickly. But reservations can be made anytime after July 9, too — as long as they're still available. Find reservation links here. You can search by restaurants serving lunch, if you choose.

Sarah Blaskovich, food writer. Sarah writes about restaurants, bars and culture in Dallas. She also appears on NBC5 twice a week. Follow @sblaskovich and ask her what to do, where to eat or where to drink in your 'hood.